The challenges of being a man

I think it is difficult being a man with Asperger Syndrome for there are so many expectations placed upon you and if you don't meet them you are somehow out of step or lazy. The things which I find difficult are as follows:

1. If you can work only part time you must be lazy
2. If you are not in a relationship, not married nor really interested or cannot handle one then you are either dysfunctional, something wrong with you or you are sometimes branded homosexual
3. You are supposed to not show emotions or reveal your feelings
4. If you show your feelings or tears then you are considered a wimp
5. If you care about others and try and help them then what is wrong with you
6. As a man you have to prove to other men you are better than them and outdo them.
7. Have a career path and a fancy car.
8. Have a macho image and compete with everyone else
9. Bullshit at a job interview or at a date
10. Be self conscious of what everyone thinks about you.

There seems a stereotype that if you do not fit into the "normal" stereotype and unconventional then you are to be avoided at all cost. It seems to me that being on the outer is not common in our "socialised" world and even if you dare to be yourself, women and other men cannot understand you, so you never really win or get anywhere.

From my own experience and beliefs, people with Asperger Syndrome don't really fall into conventional labels and when I say this then the NT will think, then what label can be affixed to the head of a person with Asperger Syndrome. I think in society we tend to label too much and furthermore socialise people the way they are supposed to be and if they break the conventions, then avoid them at all costs.

Adults with Asperger Syndrome tend to think or more so over think a lot more than other people. Our minds are always buzzing a long and our brains have difficulty shutting down. I get sick and tired of people who are critical of you if you don't fit into the so called conventions and social norms. I may not want all the trappings of an NT person so please don't try and force me to want them. I am happy being humble and just getting on with my life.